Biography

About Rory Fowler

Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Rory G. Fowler, BComm, LL.B., LL.M., CD

Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Rory Fowler retired from the Canadian Forces after having served for nearly 28 years, first as an infantry officer with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and subsequently as a Legal Officer with the Office of the Judge Advocate General. In the latter role, Rory served as a deployed legal advisor, educator, and worked extensively in the area of public and administrative law. He helped lead the development of the current curriculum used to train new legal officers and served as a mentor to many in the field of administrative law. Among his various positions, Rory served as the Deputy Judge Advocate for Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Director of Law – Compensation, Benefits, Pensions and Estates and Director of Law – Administrative Law.

As Director of Law – Compensation, Benefits, Pensions and Estates, Rory advised on a wide range of benefits for members of the Canadian Forces under the National Defence Act, including pay, allowances, reimbursement of expenses, as well as benefits under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act. As the Director of Law – Administrative Law, Rory led the team responsible for advising on the Canadian Forces grievance process, including providing direct support to the final authority and assisting legal advisors to the various initial authorities. He was also responsible for legal support to Boards of Inquiry, summary investigations and other administrative investigations.

Upon retirement, Rory worked with the Kingston-based firm of Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP, offering his services to members of the Canadian military community across the country and overseas. In January 2019, Rory set up his own practice in order to continue to offer flexible legal representation to his clients.

Practice Areas

By virtue of his background, Rory Fowler brings a unique ability, expertise and insight regarding a variety of legal matters affecting members of the Canadian Forces and veterans, and the unique nature of the Crown-soldier relationship. In particular, Rory can assist current and former members of the Canadian Forces with:

  • Judicial Review of decisions by statutory decision-makers in the Canadian Forces or whose decisions affect veterans or members of the Canadian Forces (including final determinations by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board under the Pension Act and Veterans Well-being Act)
  • Application of the Code of Service Discipline at summary trial or court martial
  • Grievances, Military Police complaints and other complaints processes
  • Charter rights and human rights relating to members of the Canadian Forces
  • Compensation and benefits under the National Defence Act
  • Benefits under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act
  • Application of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O), Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD), and related Canadian Forces Orders and Directives
  • Boards of Inquiry, Summary Investigations and other administrative investigations
  • The application of other federal, and provincial, laws to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces

Awards & Commendations

  • University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Law, Dean Ivan C. Rand Award, 2004
  • Commander, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command (CEFCOM) Commendations:
    •     2009 (Op ATHENA, Afghanistan, 2008 to 2009)
    •     2013 (Op MOBILE, Mediterranean, 2011)
  • Judge Advocate General Mentoring Award, 2011

Memberships

  • Member in good standing Law Society of Ontario
  • Canadian Bar Association (National Military Law Section)
  • Frontenac Law Association
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • Kingston Criminal Defence Lawyers’ Association

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Queen’s, 1991
  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), University of Western Ontario, 2004
  • Masters of Laws (LL.M.), with Merit, University College London, 2013